I've read that they are looking to roll out a streaming service from next year however it will be on a limited basis as a number of broadcasters have specific requirements in their contracts (UK included I believe).

I would have thought that the discussions with Netflix are about sharing tech as opposed to actually showing races live via their platform but I wouldn't be surprised if it meant some more F1 content going up as well.

I'd prefer it over my current 15 Euro's a month subscription for a sports-package which I only use 20 sundays (and saturdays) a year...Have netflix already, but I'd be curious to see how they would incorporate streaming into it. Doesn't seem to be there now?!

I've always said a free live low quality stream on f1.com would be the best. Surround the video border in sponsors to earn the cash.

Subscribers could get high quality streams, no ads around the border, maybe the ability to watch specific driver cameras, etc.

I hope this is the kind of thing Bratches is considering. If he wants eyeballs on races then this is how he'll get it. Who would ever resort to illegal streaming again if it was on the official website?

im sure many of us would love an archive of all f1 races at our disposal on netflix

You've stolen my first thought. What better way to be able to access all of the races from the past. I think this ownership group understands that people would happily pay to see those past races (something Bernie seemed oblivious to). It's about time they opened up the vault!

Sean Bratches said We are talking to Netflix about a collaboration from 2018 onwards.

Does this mean PPV via netflix, or just the extras?

I also thought they had signed up exclusively with SKY until 2025?

I do like this idea, but I don't like it when deals get broken as it would probably disappoint many. Even though I hate the fact Sky are taking over and turning F1 into a sport you have to pay to watch in the UK, I think it would be a bit much if this exclusive deal got broken before it has even started. It was confirmed ages ago.

The most obvious place for it should be Amazon Prime. Then they could target products to consumers more directly. Amazon are rumoured to start bidding against Sky and BT for football, I wouldn't be surprised if they became the number 1 sports broadcaster one day.

The most obvious place for it should be Amazon Prime. Then they could target products to consumers more directly. Amazon are rumoured to start bidding against Sky and BT for football, I wouldn't be surprised if they became the number 1 sports broadcaster one day.

The more bidders, and the higher the bids, the more it will cost to watch. They have to recover the cost

im sure many of us would love an archive of all f1 races at our disposal on netflix

You've stolen my first thought. What better way to be able to access all of the races from the past. I think this ownership group understands that people would happily pay to see those past races (something Bernie seemed oblivious to). It's about time they opened up the vault!

I've always said a free live low quality stream on f1.com would be the best. Surround the video border in sponsors to earn the cash.

Subscribers could get high quality streams, no ads around the border, maybe the ability to watch specific driver cameras, etc.

I hope this is the kind of thing Bratches is considering. If he wants eyeballs on races then this is how he'll get it. Who would ever resort to illegal streaming again if it was on the official website?

I don't see this being sustainable, it would out the TV networks and other modern networks off investing which would mean less casual fans stumbling across it. Only people who are already F1 fans would watch it.

F1 needs support from other content broadcasters who can shove F1 in the faces of people who wouldn't otherwise see it.

I love the Sky coverage and the sheer volume of content they have btw, but I grudge the fact it's the only thing keeping me roped in to paying for Sky Sports.

I've always said a free live low quality stream on f1.com would be the best. Surround the video border in sponsors to earn the cash.

Subscribers could get high quality streams, no ads around the border, maybe the ability to watch specific driver cameras, etc.

I hope this is the kind of thing Bratches is considering. If he wants eyeballs on races then this is how he'll get it. Who would ever resort to illegal streaming again if it was on the official website?

I don't see this being sustainable, it would out the TV networks and other modern networks off investing which would mean less casual fans stumbling across it. Only people who are already F1 fans would watch it.

F1 needs support from other content broadcasters who can shove F1 in the faces of people who wouldn't otherwise see it.

I love the Sky coverage and the sheer volume of content they have btw, but I grudge the fact it's the only thing keeping me roped in to paying for Sky Sports.

They are not going to do it unless it is about money. The only ways to get money are for charging a carrier lots, which gets passed on to us and is not going to be free, or get money from sponsorship, directly or indirectly.

If there are enough sponsors who want you to see their name on tv, they may pay the costs. Until now, Bernie has ALL the sponsorship at the venue, and the teams get the sponsorship on the car.

If we had the program coverage sponsored, say by Toyota + One of the airlines and hotel group etc and the track got to keep some of what was seen on TV, they may be able to cover it that way. Otherwise, its going to be the TV companies that pay, and get it back off us.

I've always said a free live low quality stream on f1.com would be the best. Surround the video border in sponsors to earn the cash.

Subscribers could get high quality streams, no ads around the border, maybe the ability to watch specific driver cameras, etc.

I hope this is the kind of thing Bratches is considering. If he wants eyeballs on races then this is how he'll get it. Who would ever resort to illegal streaming again if it was on the official website?

I don't see this being sustainable, it would out the TV networks and other modern networks off investing which would mean less casual fans stumbling across it. Only people who are already F1 fans would watch it.

F1 needs support from other content broadcasters who can shove F1 in the faces of people who wouldn't otherwise see it.

I love the Sky coverage and the sheer volume of content they have btw, but I grudge the fact it's the only thing keeping me roped in to paying for Sky Sports.

Do many casual fans happen to stumble across a Sky F1 channel that they're paying for?

The TV networks are losing out as it is due to illegal streaming. Surely there's benefit for Liberty if they themselves host the stream, rather than continuing with the thousands (dare I say millions?) of people illegally watching it for free

May well be common knowledge to most you guys - but I did just find out that NOW TV offer a 1 day Sky Sports pass for races at £7 and a one week pass for an extra £4.I personally don't have Sky Sports - but don't mind paying to watch half the races at this price, given the choice of other sources which freeze and are a pain to try and watch

I've always said a free live low quality stream on f1.com would be the best. Surround the video border in sponsors to earn the cash.

Subscribers could get high quality streams, no ads around the border, maybe the ability to watch specific driver cameras, etc.

I hope this is the kind of thing Bratches is considering. If he wants eyeballs on races then this is how he'll get it. Who would ever resort to illegal streaming again if it was on the official website?

I don't see this being sustainable, it would out the TV networks and other modern networks off investing which would mean less casual fans stumbling across it. Only people who are already F1 fans would watch it.

F1 needs support from other content broadcasters who can shove F1 in the faces of people who wouldn't otherwise see it.

I love the Sky coverage and the sheer volume of content they have btw, but I grudge the fact it's the only thing keeping me roped in to paying for Sky Sports.

Do many casual fans happen to stumble across a Sky F1 channel that they're paying for?

The TV networks are losing out as it is due to illegal streaming. Surely there's benefit for Liberty if they themselves host the stream, rather than continuing with the thousands (dare I say millions?) of people illegally watching it for free

I don't think Sky Sports F1 is the answer either, but at least there you have Sky and their non-stop self promotion helping out a bit by throwing "coming up in F1" adverts over the top of football programs, etc.

I don't really know the answer, but I don't think the F1 website is the answer primarily because the broadcast partners will not like it one single bit. If the broadcast partners don't like it - whether that is Sky, Netflix or another - then you get less focus on the broadcast, which means less promotion of it, less viewers...

Remember the whole reason TV Networks are losing out to illegal streaming is it is taking viewers away from them. The last thing they want is a 'legitimate' stream taking even more away from them.

The dream is free to air broadcaster who really promote the sport, alongside a reliable free stream on the F1 website. But what kinda free to air broadcaster is going to invest in that?

I've always said a free live low quality stream on f1.com would be the best. Surround the video border in sponsors to earn the cash.

Subscribers could get high quality streams, no ads around the border, maybe the ability to watch specific driver cameras, etc.

I hope this is the kind of thing Bratches is considering. If he wants eyeballs on races then this is how he'll get it. Who would ever resort to illegal streaming again if it was on the official website?

I don't see this being sustainable, it would out the TV networks and other modern networks off investing which would mean less casual fans stumbling across it. Only people who are already F1 fans would watch it.

F1 needs support from other content broadcasters who can shove F1 in the faces of people who wouldn't otherwise see it.

I love the Sky coverage and the sheer volume of content they have btw, but I grudge the fact it's the only thing keeping me roped in to paying for Sky Sports.

Do many casual fans happen to stumble across a Sky F1 channel that they're paying for?

The TV networks are losing out as it is due to illegal streaming. Surely there's benefit for Liberty if they themselves host the stream, rather than continuing with the thousands (dare I say millions?) of people illegally watching it for free

I don't think Sky Sports F1 is the answer either, but at least there you have Sky and their non-stop self promotion helping out a bit by throwing "coming up in F1" adverts over the top of football programs, etc.

I don't really know the answer, but I don't think the F1 website is the answer primarily because the broadcast partners will not like it one single bit. If the broadcast partners don't like it - whether that is Sky, Netflix or another - then you get less focus on the broadcast, which means less promotion of it, less viewers...

Remember the whole reason TV Networks are losing out to illegal streaming is it is taking viewers away from them. The last thing they want is a 'legitimate' stream taking even more away from them.

The dream is free to air broadcaster who really promote the sport, alongside a reliable free stream on the F1 website. But what kinda free to air broadcaster is going to invest in that?

Would it be unreasonable to suggest Channel 4 would go for that? As you have pointed out, it's a dedicated fan that would go looking for the website to watch the stream. Channel 4 is easily found by flicking around. The casual fan would be their target audience. I would see that as being the two ideal solutions for the two subsets of fans

I've always said a free live low quality stream on f1.com would be the best. Surround the video border in sponsors to earn the cash.

Subscribers could get high quality streams, no ads around the border, maybe the ability to watch specific driver cameras, etc.

I hope this is the kind of thing Bratches is considering. If he wants eyeballs on races then this is how he'll get it. Who would ever resort to illegal streaming again if it was on the official website?

I don't see this being sustainable, it would out the TV networks and other modern networks off investing which would mean less casual fans stumbling across it. Only people who are already F1 fans would watch it.

F1 needs support from other content broadcasters who can shove F1 in the faces of people who wouldn't otherwise see it.

I love the Sky coverage and the sheer volume of content they have btw, but I grudge the fact it's the only thing keeping me roped in to paying for Sky Sports.

Do many casual fans happen to stumble across a Sky F1 channel that they're paying for?

The TV networks are losing out as it is due to illegal streaming. Surely there's benefit for Liberty if they themselves host the stream, rather than continuing with the thousands (dare I say millions?) of people illegally watching it for free

I don't think Sky Sports F1 is the answer either, but at least there you have Sky and their non-stop self promotion helping out a bit by throwing "coming up in F1" adverts over the top of football programs, etc.

I don't really know the answer, but I don't think the F1 website is the answer primarily because the broadcast partners will not like it one single bit. If the broadcast partners don't like it - whether that is Sky, Netflix or another - then you get less focus on the broadcast, which means less promotion of it, less viewers...

Remember the whole reason TV Networks are losing out to illegal streaming is it is taking viewers away from them. The last thing they want is a 'legitimate' stream taking even more away from them.

The dream is free to air broadcaster who really promote the sport, alongside a reliable free stream on the F1 website. But what kinda free to air broadcaster is going to invest in that?

Would it be unreasonable to suggest Channel 4 would go for that? As you have pointed out, it's a dedicated fan that would go looking for the website to watch the stream. Channel 4 is easily found by flicking around. The casual fan would be their target audience

I don't think any broadcaster would want ONLY the casual fan, and I don't believe any broadcaster would see a legal stream that isn't theirs as an alternative to an illegal stream which isn't theirs. I don't think they care if its legal or illegal, they just care that they're not watching their channel.

And besides, if it was available for free on Channel 4, what would be the point in an F1 website stream? If it was free to air nobody would be searching for illegal links in the first place.

For Sky + F1 stream I don't think it would ever get off the ground. I think Sky invested in F1 as they see a very hardcore and loyal fanbase, many of whom would not subscribe to their sports package if it wasn't for F1. If they lost that hardcore base to a website....

I don't see this being sustainable, it would out the TV networks and other modern networks off investing which would mean less casual fans stumbling across it. Only people who are already F1 fans would watch it.

F1 needs support from other content broadcasters who can shove F1 in the faces of people who wouldn't otherwise see it.

I love the Sky coverage and the sheer volume of content they have btw, but I grudge the fact it's the only thing keeping me roped in to paying for Sky Sports.

Do many casual fans happen to stumble across a Sky F1 channel that they're paying for?

The TV networks are losing out as it is due to illegal streaming. Surely there's benefit for Liberty if they themselves host the stream, rather than continuing with the thousands (dare I say millions?) of people illegally watching it for free

I don't think Sky Sports F1 is the answer either, but at least there you have Sky and their non-stop self promotion helping out a bit by throwing "coming up in F1" adverts over the top of football programs, etc.

I don't really know the answer, but I don't think the F1 website is the answer primarily because the broadcast partners will not like it one single bit. If the broadcast partners don't like it - whether that is Sky, Netflix or another - then you get less focus on the broadcast, which means less promotion of it, less viewers...

Remember the whole reason TV Networks are losing out to illegal streaming is it is taking viewers away from them. The last thing they want is a 'legitimate' stream taking even more away from them.

The dream is free to air broadcaster who really promote the sport, alongside a reliable free stream on the F1 website. But what kinda free to air broadcaster is going to invest in that?

Would it be unreasonable to suggest Channel 4 would go for that? As you have pointed out, it's a dedicated fan that would go looking for the website to watch the stream. Channel 4 is easily found by flicking around. The casual fan would be their target audience

I don't think any broadcaster would want ONLY the casual fan, and I don't believe any broadcaster would see a legal stream that isn't theirs as an alternative to an illegal stream which isn't theirs. I don't think they care if its legal or illegal, they just care that they're not watching their channel.

And besides, if it was available for free on Channel 4, what would be the point in an F1 website stream? If it was free to air nobody would be searching for illegal links in the first place.

For Sky + F1 stream I don't think it would ever get off the ground. I think Sky invested in F1 as they see a very hardcore and loyal fanbase, many of whom would not subscribe to their sports package if it wasn't for F1. If they lost that hardcore base to a website....

Channel 4 have a crap deal right now. They're up against Sky F1 and illegal streaming. As you say, Sky F1 target the loyal fanbase. And illegal streams are used by the loyal fanbase (I'm not so certain on that one). Where are the casuals left to go? Channel 4 for half the races

Take Sky out of the equation, let's say Bratches tells them to go take a hike. He sets up the official stream on f1.com. And he says Channel 4 can have the full season. C4 now have the casuals for all of the races and probably a good chunk of loyals (who have cancelled their Sky subscriptions)

You'd be surprised how many households don't have TV these days. Or the sheer number of people that watch everything through their phones. They're sizeable numbers. I've just cancelled my TV channels, we're going broadband only. I'm just copying my friends. It's this market that Bratches wants eyeballing F1 in a way that makes profit. An official live stream (surrounded by Rolex and Chandon and Heineken logos) is the best way of getting this crowd and earning money from it IMO

And that's the only way I see both subsets of fans accounted for and Liberty earning cash from all of them. Then it becomes a cost benefit analysis. Because C4 can't ever pay the money Sky are. Do Liberty earn more with the status quo (Sky 100% + Channel 4 50% + illegal streaming 0%) or a suggestion like mine (Channel 4 100% + official stream 100%)